Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; SABIT Participant Application, Participant Survey, Alumni Survey, 74672 [2020-25725]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• International Trade Administration

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 226 (Monday, November 23, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 74672]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-25725]



[[Page 74672]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; SABIT Participant Application, Participant Survey, Alumni 
Survey

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other 
Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information 
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information 
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The 
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment 
preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed 
information collection must be received on or before January 22, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments by 
email to Towanda Carey, ITA Paperwork Clearance Officer, International 
Trade Administration at [email protected] or [email protected]. 
Please reference OMB Control Number 0625-0225 in the subject line of 
your comments. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or 
otherwise sensitive or protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed 
to Tracy M. Rollins, Director, SABIT Program, International Trade 
Administration, (202) 482-0392, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Special American Business Internship Training (SABIT) Program 
of the Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration 
(ITA), is a key element in the U.S. Government's efforts to support the 
economic transition of Eurasia (the former Soviet Union) and to support 
economic growth in other regions of the world, including countries in 
Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East, et al. SABIT develops and 
implements two-week training programs in the United States for groups 
of up to 20 business and government professionals from Eurasia and 
other regions. These professionals meet with U.S. government agencies, 
non-governmental organizations and private sector companies in order to 
learn about various business practices and principles. This unique 
private sector-U.S. Government partnership was created in order to tap 
into the U.S. private sector's expertise and to assist developing 
regions in their transition to market-based economies while 
simultaneously boosting trade between the United States and other 
countries. SABIT also develops and implements virtual events for its 
alumni and other participants that provide industry-specific training 
on best practices for business and management, and fosters contacts 
with U.S. organizations. Participant applications are needed to enable 
SABIT to find the most qualified participants for the training 
programs. Participant exit questionnaires provide insight as to what 
the participants have learned, and they are used to improve the content 
and administration of future programs. Alumni success story reports 
track the success of the program as regards to business ties between 
the U.S. and the countries SABIT covers.
    The closing date for participant applications is based upon the 
starting date of the program and is published with the application and 
on the program's website at www.trade.gov/sabit. Pursuant to section 
632(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, funding for 
the programs will be provided through the Agency for International 
Development (AID).
    The SABIT Program has revised the collection instruments. The 
instruments are very similar to those used by SABIT in past years. 
However, some wording has been changed to reflect the changing needs of 
SABIT over time. The changes are relatively minor and most of them are 
rephrasing of wording. Instructions for filling out the form, methods 
of submission, and the order of questions have been revised on the 
Participant Application. These revisions are not expected to increase 
the response time to complete the instruments.

II. Method of Collection

    Participant applications may be downloaded from the SABIT websites 
at www.trade.gov/sabit when available. Applications may be sent to 
program candidates via email upon request. Applications are collected 
via email. Participant exit questionnaires are given to program 
participants at the completion of programs electronically, although in 
rare situations, a paper questionnaire may be completed and submitted. 
Alumni success story reports are used internally by SABIT staff to 
record success information, but at times they may be sent to alumni to 
fill out and submit electronically.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0625-0225.
    Form Number(s): ITA-4143P-3.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (revision of a currently 
approved information collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for-
profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,500.
    Estimated Time per Response: Participant application, 3 hours; 
participant exit questionnaire, 1 hour; alumni survey, 1 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 7,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Section 632(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 
1961, as amended (the ``FAA''), and pursuant to the Department of 
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 
2018 (Div. K, P.L. 115-141).

IV. Request for Comments

    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau 
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether 
the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy 
of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed 
collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden 
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2020-25725 Filed 11-20-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-HE-P